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Overcoming challenges and growing strong: The Vegan Patty Lady's success story

Grow London Local

Posted: Thu 3rd Oct 2024

Seasoned entrepreneur Natasha Orumbie founded The Vegan Patty Lady in June 2023. Having struggled for years with asthma and allergies, she made a transformative decision in 2019 to fully embrace a vegan lifestyle.

As she transitioned to a plant-based diet, Natasha's health improved dramatically, with her asthma attacks and hay fever symptoms going away completely. But one thing that was missing from her life was flavour!

Natasha found many vegan products on the market to be tasteless or full of non-nutritional fillers. So, wanting to share the benefits of a vegan lifestyle with a wide audience, she created The Vegan Patty Lady.

Here, Natasha tells us about the journey her business has taken so far and the support Grow London Local has provided to help her thrive.

What inspired you to launch The Vegan Patty Lady?

It was a combination of personal health challenges and a deep passion for my cultural heritage. As a severe asthmatic, I found that switching to a vegan diet completely eradicated my asthma and hay fever, which was life-changing.

However, I was disappointed with the vegan options available on the market – they were often bland and unhealthy and lacked the vibrant flavours I was used to from Jamaican cuisine.

I realised there was a significant gap in the market for flavourful, healthy and culturally relevant vegan food, particularly for people who also needed gluten-free options. This led me to create The Vegan Patty Lady and offer the first Jamaican vegan patties (and later introduce gluten-free versions).

I started making the patties at home, and despite numerous challenges, I've grown the business to meet the needs of a growing customer base that values health, flavour and cultural authenticity.

How did you go from making patties at home to getting them on supermarket shelves?

It was really organic. My local Nisa was first to spot the opportunity and then I had interest from other local stores that reached out to us and asked if we could supply them.

As demand grew, I moved into a commercial kitchen, which allowed me to increase production. However, scaling up to meet the standards of larger supermarkets will require significant investment in equipment and most likely outsourcing, which we're working on right now.

By staying true to my vision – and with the support of my local community – we were able to make the leap from a small operation to a product available in major retail outlets.

As the business has grown, what challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing my full-time job with running the business. This often means working 18 to 20 hours a day, where I leave my nine-to-five job and then head straight into the kitchen to work through the night.

The physical and emotional toll has been immense, but my passion for bringing this unique product to market keeps me going.

Another challenge has been the labour-intensive nature of handmade production, which limits our ability to scale. We've overcome this by staying focused on our mission and seeking opportunities for growth, such as applying for grants to secure a warehouse and buy machinery to automate parts of our production process.

Natasha Orumbie, the Vegan Patty Lady, at her kitchen worktop laying out patties on a wooden chopping board

How did you hear about Grow London Local, and what has your experience been like?

I heard about Grow London Local through a network of fellow small business owners who recommended it as a great resource for local entrepreneurs.

My experience has been incredibly positive. They provide invaluable support and resources that have helped me navigate the challenges of growing my business. From advice on scaling operations to networking opportunities, Grow London Local has been a crucial part of my business journey.

What impact has your Business Support Manager had?

They've been incredibly impactful. They've given me guidance and support all along, helping me to navigate challenges and identify opportunities for growth.

Whether it's advice on scaling production, understanding market trends or connecting me with the right resources, they've become a trusted partner in my business's success.

Their expertise and encouragement has given me the confidence to take bold steps in expanding The Vegan Patty Lady and realising my vision for the future.

Would you recommend Grow London Local to other small businesses?

Yes, because of the invaluable support and resources they provide. From networking opportunities to business advice and access to funding, Grow London Local has been instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of running a business.

Their focus on supporting local entrepreneurs and fostering a sense of community among small businesses is something that every business owner can benefit from. They understand the unique challenges that London small businesses face and are dedicated to helping them succeed.

What's next for The Vegan Patty Lady? Any exciting developments on the horizon?

The next big step is to secure our own warehouse facility and invest in machinery that will allow us to automate parts of our production process.

By doing this, we'll be able to meet the growing demand for our patties and expand into even more supermarkets and retail outlets across the UK. We're also exploring new product lines that will continue to celebrate Caribbean flavours while catering to health-conscious consumers.

Finally, what advice would you give other small business owners in London?

Stay true to your vision and be prepared to put in the hard work. The journey of entrepreneurship is not easy, and there will be times when the challenges seem overwhelming. But it's important to remain focused on your goals and remember why you started in the first place.

Networking and seeking support from local resources like Grow London Local can make a significant difference. Don't be afraid to ask for help and take advantage of the expertise and resources available to you.

Lastly, be patient and persistent. Success doesn't happen overnight, but with dedication and resilience, you can achieve your dreams.

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